Asolo 520 GV

Hello,

I am new to this forum (and pretty much backpacking) and just picked up a pair of Asolo 520 GV wide from REI

I have a really wide foot and have calcified heel bumps (from skiing) that stick out and give me a little bit of trouble with everything I wear

I feel the boots hitting the heel bumps (i imagine they all would though), but I also feel my pinky toe and the 4th toe hitting the front of the boot. should i get some new boots and return these? i feel like the toes hitting will be a problem

can you guys suggest any boots that would be good? i know its a personal fit kinda thing, but i would take them hiking and backpacking, and i like the asolos, but they dont fit perfectly i have found

thanks in advance!

You are correct, footwear is a personal thing. Each foot is unique pretty much.

What kind of hiking/backpacking are you planning to do? Don't let REI try to sell you some heavy and overkill "backpacking" boots if all you are doing is walking established trails.

"boots" are not always necessary for simple walking and inclines.

you make a valid point. i think that REI did somewhat pawn off some overkill boots, but i didnt necessarily mind.

up until now, ive been doing like what you said, walking established trails, always under a day.

I am planning on doing more hardcore hiking, and possibly some backpacking in the future, and i want boots that can really last. i just need the toe box to be wide haha

it looks at this point that im gonna return them, but i wanted to get a more involved insight into what to get in advance. im gonna try a lot on, but i was curious if there was anything to especially keep an eye out for. thanks for helping!

Keen boots are known for their wide toe box, so you may want to start there.

FWIW, I just use trail runners. They are certainly not as durable as "real" boots, but you can put some mileage on them. One pair of trail runners as seen me through two CT hikes which is a little under 1,000miles. I also have a full CDT hike on another pair, and they are still going strong.

For winter use, then boots are the only way to go IMOH. I also have a pair of Moab Vents (mids) which I like, but very rarely use.

As I said, we could all name each shoe we have ever liked, but it won't make a difference to your foot.

sweet! ill look into the keens when im trying some on, thank you so much for the advice!

Don't limit yourself to the keens. Try every pair on. If none fit, go to a different store. Anyways, I have found that Sportsmans Wharehouse and Cabelas generally have a better selection of wide boots and shoes than does REI. Maybe I am mistaken, but that is what I have noticed.

Hey thanks everyone for all the advice!

So I went to REI to exchange the boots, and before I did I tried on some other ones. I tried on some merrels and lowas and really found out that I liked the build of the asolo much better. the other ones just felt flabby and mushy, while the asolo would be much nicer to trek with, sans toe problems though

so i have 2 options, take these to a cobbler, which i really think i might do, or just keep trying different boots on. the REI i went to, which supposedly had a great selection, had very few boots. maybe ill get some online ones. i was eying these guys

http://www.rei.com/product/776791

fingers crossed, thanks again guys!

I purchased some Asolo TPS 520's (from REI) brought them home and wore them around the house, tried three different sizes untill I found the right size. I have had not one problem with them. Right after I bought them last year I wore them backpacking twice and have been wearing them hiking and snowshoeing since. I love them, absolutely no problems. I made sure by wearing them around the house and testing them, that my toes didn't touch. I also equipped them with the super feet insoles(my husband has been raving about) because they did seem too hard on my heels. The insoles work. I also bought a set of them for my work shoes. they are expensive, but worth it. P.S. REI said they go on sale the 22nd of May. Happy trails!

oh really? they were a bit steep, so a sale would be quite nice

they really just dont feel very good at the toes, i need a wider toe box regretfully

i was going to start another topic, but i figured to conserve space id ask here, my grandpa has Meindl boots and he loves them, does anybody recommend those? i heard theyre light, comfy and have wide toe boxes, but u cant find any place to buy them, especially not rei :-/